Theodore Excited ahead of Wangoom Hcp bid

But trainer Stephen Theodore concedes a real heavy surface would be a query going into the $150,000 Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool on Wednesday in Don’t Get Excited’s return from a let-up.

Theodore has targeted the feature country Victorian sprint with Don’t Get Excited since his second to Knoydart in the Hareeba Stakes at Mornington in February.

Don’t Get Excited is on the second line of betting behind Anlon.

“It has been a faultless preparation leading into the race,” the trainer said.

“Obviously we know he likes a wet track, but we don’t want it too heavy, making it like a 1400-metre race.

“That’s the only query we’ve got.”

Heavy rain on Tuesday morning meant the first day of the three-day carnival on Tuesday at Warrnambool went ahead on a track rated the heaviest possible and Theodore hopes the testing conditions won’t make Don’t Get Excited vulnerable.

Don’t Get Excited joined Theodore’s stable ahead of the winter last year and won his first four starts for the trainer, including his opening two runs of the campaign in heavy ground at Sandown.

He scored another win first-up from a let-up at Caulfield in December on a dead track over 1200m.

“I’ve stuck to that theory and I’ve got him as good as I’ve probably ever had the horse going,” Theodore said.

“With a bit of luck we should be right in the finish.”

The Wangoom Handicap is the feature flat race on the second day of the Warrnambool carnival.